Transmission of HIV by Blood Transfusion

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To the Editor: In the February 25 issue of the Journal, Ward et al. reported 13 cases of seroconversion after transfusions of blood from seven blood donors who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies.1 These observations raised the issue of the safety of transfusions during the "window period" of six to eight weeks between infection and the detection of IgG antibody to HIV by currently licensed screening assays.2 3 4 5 6 The authors suggested the use of more sensitive HIV-antibody screening assays and an HIV-antigen assay to identify infectious blood donors during the window period.We present the case of . . .